WELL>....I guess that is a question now isn't it. I don't know how to answer that. I want to be able to record 24 bit 192Khz audio files. I guess my choices are 24bit and 32bit?? what are the proc and cons of each?

Zc

__________________
It's not about what you can BUY...It's about what you can BUILD!

The reference to 'real' bits was asking how low noise do you want to have? Noisy ADCs are cheaper than quiet ones. A true 24 bit ADC would have noise down around -140dB which is AFAIK unattainable with present day technology. Even if an ADC puts out 24bits, its very likely the bottom 4 bits at least will be essentially random noise.

If you say what source you're wishing to record I could perhaps home in a bit better on your requirements here.

__________________When irony first makes itself known in a young man's life, it can be like his first experience of getting drunk - Robertson Davies

I think is easyer to buy an audio ADC product then try to build something like that. Good ADC performance is not easy to attain.
I like the price/performance of E-MU product line, from E-MU 0204, E-MU 0404 (113dB with AK5385) to E-MU 1616 (120dB with AK5394A).